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Pundarik swami is not a tirthankar yet we do pooja
Yes, Pundarik Swami is not a Tirthankar – and still his pooja is very meaningful and fully within Jain principles.
In simple points:
- Who is Pundarik Swami in Jain tradition?
- He is described as: - Grandson of Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath) - Son of Bharat Chakravarti - One of the main Ganadhar (chief disciples) of Bhagwan Adinath - He attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha (siddha pad) at Shatrunjay (Palitana) – therefore he is a Siddha, even though not a Tirthankar.
- Why do we worship him if he is not a Tirthankar?
In Jainism, we do not worship only Tirthankars. We worship: - Arihant (living Kevali) - Siddha (liberated souls – this includes Tirthankars and other Kevalis like Pundarik Swami) - Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu (highly pure saints)
Pundarik Swami: - Is a Siddha – so he is fully worthy of worship. - Is also a great Ganadhar and Guru, so his pooja expresses guru‑bhakti and respect for the ideal disciple.
Just like we do pooja / pranam to: - Gautam Swami, Sudharma Swami, Kunda‑Kunda Acharya, etc. even though they are not Tirthankars, in the same way we do pooja of Pundarik Swami for his supreme purity and devotion.
- Connection with Shatrunjay (Palitana)
- Shatrunjay is also called Pundarikgiri because Pundarik Swami attained moksha there with many monks. - Therefore, his pooja is also a respect to that siddha‑kshetra and to the lakhs of siddhas connected with that place.
- Digambar–Shvetambar view
- Both traditions accept the principle that: - Great Ganadhars and Kevalis (who become Siddhas) are worthy of high reverence and worship. - Narrations (exact family relations, details of life) may differ slightly between traditions, but: - Respect and pooja for Pundarik Swami as a great Siddha/Guru is common and fully acceptable in both.
- What exactly are we worshipping in his pooja?
- Not the personality, but his: - Vairagya (detachment) - Keval‑jnan - Siddha‑bhav (complete liberation) - Perfect guru‑bhakti and samyak darshan–jnan–charitra
By bowing to him, we pray to attain similar gunas (qualities) in ourselves.
You can read a short explanation about Pundarik Swami and Palitana on JainKnowledge here:
